According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than 16 million Americans are living with cognitive impairment, which occurs when an individual has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life. With mild impairment, people may start to notice changes in their brain function but are still able to perform their daily activities. Severe impairment can lead to losing the ability to understand the meaning of things and the ability to speak or write.

Age is the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment, and preserving brain health is a major concern for all of us as we get older. Along with regular physical activity and a well-balanced diet, citicoline -- also known as CDP choline -- may help protect the brain and even reverse some signs of cognitive decline.

Citicoline is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain that's essential for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major component of the brain's grey matter. Supplemental citicoline has been used therapeutically for stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease, and even attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), but it's especially promising for improving memory and preventing age-related cognitive decline.

CDP choline is one of many choline compounds that are capable of affecting the brain's acetylcholine levels. Acetylcholine is one of the primary neurotransmitters involved in rapid firing of the synapses, the type of cognitive function most commonly associated with new learning, the formation of memories, and complex problem solving.

Research finds citicoline beneficial for improving attention and focus, enhancing learning capacity, and increasing memory performance. It shows particular promise for improving mild vascular cognitive impairment (a form of dementia caused by damaged blood vessels in the brain) in older individuals. It has also been found to improve mental performance in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. CDP choline not only improves mental functioning but also has a protective effect on brain cells and neurons.

Meats, eggs, fish, and nuts are all high in choline, but it can be challenging to get enough of this important nutrient from diet alone. Also, citicoline is highly bioavailable, which gives it an edge over choline. To support long-term brain health as you age, look for CDP choline as an individual supplement or as part of a brain-protective formula.